Luke 20:1
What does Luke 20:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 20:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 20:1 means
This verse sets the scene for a pivotal confrontation. As Jesus taught the common people in the Temple, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God, He was approached by the highest religious authorities of the day: the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Their appearance was not coincidental but a deliberate challenge to His growing influence. They sought to undermine His authority and teachings, viewing Him as a threat to their established religious order and power. This encounter highlights the tension between Jesus' divine mission and the entrenched human institutions that opposed Him, foreshadowing the ultimate conflict that would lead to His crucifixion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it came to pass, on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, there came upon him the chief priests and the scribes with the elders;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it came to pass, on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and preaching the gospel, there came upon him the chief priests and the scribes with the elders;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And it came about on one of those days, when he was teaching the people in the Temple and preaching the good news,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it came to pass, on one of those days, as he is teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came upon <FI>him<Fi> ,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it came to pass that on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes, with the ancients, met together,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass on one of the days, as he was teaching the people in the temple, and announcing the glad tidings, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up,
Context
This verse immediately follows chapter 19, where Jesus has just triumphantly entered Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple, asserting His authority through action. Now, the religious leaders directly challenge that authority with a question. This moment marks the beginning of a series of intense interrogations and parables that characterize Jesus' final days in Jerusalem, setting up the direct conflict that will escalate throughout the chapter.
v.1This passage
v.2and they spake, saying unto him, Tell us: By what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 24:1
And the courses of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
- Mark 11:27
And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders;
- John 18:20
Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.
- Matthew 26:55
In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not.
- Acts 4:1
And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
- Luke 19:47
And he was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him:
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